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A Garden In Winter. Kauffman Memorial.
A haven of serenity and silence is hiding in the midst of our urban landscape.
At The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden, tranquility sits within plain sight of Troost and Taco Bell.
High stone walls shelter plantings and pathways that invite contemplative thought.
Playful bronze sculptures cast long winter shadows on carefully trimmed topiaries.
And when your frosty fingers have had enough of strolling, slip into the conservatory for a respite of warmth, color, and light.
Under the graceful glass ceiling, a resident cat has the right idea, snoozing amid lilies and poinsettias in the late afternoon sun.
And if the conservatory cat is not enough excitement, little ones will delight in seeing towering palm trees and exotic flowers flourishing in the dead of winter.
This little bit of horticultural bliss is located at 4800 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO, 64110.
The garden is open 8am to sunset year round.
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Falling for October at the O.P. Arboretum.
With “Snowtober” burying the Northeast, and record highs (98 degrees!) roasting Los Angeles, I must take this opportunity to crow to my smug coastal dwelling friends: Fall is flat out fabulous in the Midwest!
The air is crisp and cool, yet flowers are still in bloom. Trees turn breathtaking shades of crimson and gold, while the grass beneath their brilliant canopy remains soft and green.
One of the best places to see fall flora is at the Overland Park Arboretum. The OPA is a compact, yet skillfully designed botanical garden surrounding a small lake in southeastern Overland Park.
All of the paths are smooth, paved and wheelchair/stroller accessible. It is a great place to take senior citizens or not-so-small children who tire easily.
The flower gardens are full of exotic blooms just bursting with vibrant color.
For extra excitement, kids can spot Koi fish in the lake and butterflies flitting from bud to blossom.
The OPA is FREE and open 7 days a week year round.
http://www.opkansas.org/Things-to-See-And-Do/Overland-Park-Arboretum-And-Botanical-Gardens
Tip: For fall splendor on a much larger scale (but $9.50 admission & 1 hour drive), see my post on Powell Gardens in Kingsville, Missouri: http://thefamilyunit.tumblr.com/post/1467390233/powell-gardens
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18Broadway: Downtown KC Sweet Spot #7.
Downtown Sweet Spot #7: 18Broadway community garden.
Every inch of the green living showcase at 18th & Broadway is cutting edge and downright cool. Funded by DST Systems, 18Broadway is an exciting experiment in urban development and a dramatic addition to the Crossroads neighborhood.
A community garden with biofiltration systems to collect, purify, and reuse storm water runoff would be impressive enough; 18Broadway also generates its own power through the use of solar panels and a striking, sculptural wind turbine.
A slew of edible plants (broccoli, lettuce, strawberries, etc.) grow in fastidiously tended raised beds, and the produce will all be donated to Harvesters!
Walking through the garden, I couldn’t help thinking that it must take an army of volunteers to keep the place looking so amazing. The pristine plantings are in sharp contrast to my own backyard garden, which is a savage, inhospitable landscape where weeds reign supreme.
18Broadway is the perfect place to get inspiration and design ideas for your own urban oasis. It’s also a fabulous escape from the pavement (where else can you find a field of wildflowers growing next to farm fresh produce in downtown KC?).
Powell Gardens.
I am amazed by the number of people I know who are Powell Gardens virgins. The usual admission goes something like this: “I haven’t been out there, but I hear it’s great.”
Great it is, and growing. The new Heartland Harvest expansion covers a whopping 12 acres, and is the largest “edible landscape” in the U.S. It showcases everything from miniature vineyard and orchard plots to an elaborate masterpiece called the “Quilt Garden,” where edible flowers, vegetables, fruits and herbs are painstakingly arranged in traditional Kansas and Missouri quilt patterns.
And the Heartland Harvest section is just a teaser for what Powell Gardens has to offer. You will definitely want to wear your walking shoes to explore the full 915 acres of blooming beauty.
Nature trails crisscross the property, weaving in and out of shady woods, through whispering prairie grass, and past purling water. The natural setting and tranquil landscape are so soothing; I dare you not to relax.
Children, of course, don’t want to sit and drink in the magnificent surroundings; they want to run and jump and explore. And there is plenty for little explorers to discover at this diverse botanical garden. When we were there in October, Elliott pored over the Powell Gardens map, planning our route into far flung corners. He wanted to see everything. We settled for a few things. The fact that he got to hold a fuzzy caterpillar made up for some of the things he had to save until “next time.” Even baby Emma seemed energized by being out and about in the brilliant sunshine. She rode happily in her carrier, watching the changing landscape with big, bright eyes.
In short, I can’t praise Powell Gardens enough. If you have never been, there is no time like the present. And if you don’t think that a Missouri vista can be majestic, Powell Gardens may make a believer out of you!
Tip: If you are visiting with kids during the summer months, take a swimsuit or change of clothing for them. There is a large fountain for frolicking and escaping the heat near the entrance to Heartland Harvest. Also, if you did not pack your own lunch/snacks, stop at the barn cafe during warm weather. The seating is all outdoors, but the prices are less and the fare is lighter than what is offered at the main lodge restaurant.
http://www.powellgardens.org/
